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Sean Dyche’s Everton have named the same system in all three of his matches, with the 4-5-1 providing two 1-0 home victories against Arsenal and Leeds United. Another home game against Aston Villa would suggest their line-up is likely to be quite similar.
Nathan Patterson, towards the start of the season, was the preferred pick at right-back for Frank Lampard, ahead of club captain Seamus Coleman. Patterson’s injury in the first-half of the campaign means that Coleman has regained his place and the Irishman, who is a shadow of his former self, is putting in important performances, none more so than scoring the winning goal in a huge match against Leeds at Goodison last weekend; a goal he claims was intentional.
His selection, therefore, is not in any doubt, due to a lack of competition and improvement in form. He will form a defence alongside Conor Coady and James Tarkowski with Vitaly Mykolenko. Everton’s most well stacked position is in the centre of defence but none of Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey or Michael Keane are getting in ahead of Coady and Tarkowski at the moment.
Dyche’s midfield three may well have to be disrupted for the first time in this match. Amadou Onana is a doubt for the match due to a slight knock so the Belgian may not be able to start alongside Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure. If Onana is unavailable then Tom Davies would appear the most obvious pick, unless an unlikely change in formation is preferred by the former Burnley boss.
Out-wide, Demarai Gray has been on the bench for all three matches and he is unlikely to get in ahead of either Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi, once again.
Up-front, there have been three players used for the lone striker role in Dyche’s three matches in charge. Ellis Simms was ineffective in a difficult environment at Anfield in the Merseyside derby, whilst Neal Maupay was a slight upgrade at home to Leeds last weekend. Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be first choice and held the line well against Arsenal a few weeks ago but the England international remains a doubt due to injury. It is likely that Maupay will be persisted with.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Doucoure, Gueye, Onana, McNeil; Maupay
UNAVAILABLE: Townsend (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Patterson (Injured), Garner (Fitness), Onana (Injured), Calvert-Lewin (Injured)